Trump criticizes Columbia University president for not handling campus chaos well.
Former President Trump recently criticized Columbia University’s president for her handling of anti-Israel protests on campus, calling her “weak” for not addressing the unrest sooner. At a rally in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Trump condemned the chaos that unfolded at the New York-based university, accusing the school’s leadership of failing to act promptly.
The anti-Israel protests at Columbia began nearly two weeks ago and escalated to the point where protesters set up an encampment, took over a school building, and clashed with law enforcement. The NYPD eventually cleared the occupied building, Hamilton Hall, after a raid that lasted about two hours.
Similar protests have erupted at prestigious universities nationwide, including UCLA, Yale, Harvard, Fordham, and UT Austin, where students are demanding divestment from Israel. Chants like “Burn Tel Aviv to the ground” and expressions of support for Hamas have been reported at Columbia’s campus, reflecting the intensity of the demonstrations.
Rep. Elise Stefanik and other critics have called for Columbia’s president to resign, citing her perceived mishandling of the unrest on campus. Trump, who is currently embroiled in a legal battle in Manhattan, has condemned the protests and attributed the situation to what he considers a lack of leadership from President Biden.
The NYPD’s response to the demonstrations resulted in the arrest of approximately 300 individuals at Columbia and City College. Following the arrests, a new encampment was established at Fordham University, prompting the school to suspend and ban student protesters from campus.
Despite his legal obligations, Trump continues to address the issue of the anti-Israel protests while on the campaign trail in Wisconsin and Michigan. He plans to return to Manhattan to resume trial proceedings following his campaign events.
